Heading off to college for the first time?  
Check out these resources to learn how to deal.


BOOKS  (Click on the picture to go to Amazon.com)

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1001 Things Every College Student Needs to Know (Like Buying Your Books Before Exams Start)
By Harry H. Harrison.  Thomas Nelson, 2008.

This book is chock full of practical advice that would benefit any college student, whether he/she is a freshman or a senior.  Emphasis is put not just on starting college, but finishing it, and includes statistics of how many students actually finish school in 6 years.  A fun read that is a learning experience as well!

The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College

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By Harlan Cohen.  Sourcebooks, 2011.
A new edition of this book is available!  Definitely meant to be humorous as well as enlightening, Cohen gives readers tips such as "be yourself, lock your door, set boundaries with your roommate," etc.  More focused on the social aspects of college, and includes real-life questions from students.

Navigating Your Freshman Year (Students Helping Students series)

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By Allison Lombardo.  Natavi Guides, 2003.
This book makes use of students' experiences and offers them to new college freshmen everywhere.  Gives advice on applying to scholarships and financial aid, as well as budgeting your money and developing contacts for the future.  Check out some of the other books in the series as well!

Paying For College Without Going Broke (College Admissions Guides)

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Princeton Review and Kalman Chany.  Princeton Review.
Having an inside view on paying for college is a valuable resource, and this guide does just that.  Updated annually, each edition includes sample forms such as the FAFSA that students are required to fill out to receive financial aid.  Also gives examples of mistakes to avoid.  The most recent edition out right now is 2011.

How to Make Colleges Want You: Insider Secrets for Tipping the Admissions Odds in Your Favor

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By Mike Moyer.  Sourcebooks, Inc, 2008.
This book, meant to be read well before applying to colleges, will help all students learn how to emphasize their strengths when it comes to applying to a college.  Includes a quick look at the admissions process, as well as giving the applicant the responsibility of finding out information about the school he/she is applying to.

Cooking for College Students: A Beginner's Guide

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By Patrick C. Arenson.  CreateSpace, 2010.
It might feel like there's not enough time in the day to prepare and eat well while in college.  Though many students may have a meal plan, this handy cookbook is a great second option for any college student.  Includes 125 simple and affordable recipes you can use to feed yourself and your friends!

MAGAZINE

Next Step U

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A college and career planning magazine with information on how to choose a career, find the appropriate college, fill out an application, get financial aid and find scholarships.

BLOGS
College Tidbits Blog

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Tips on everything from being a good roommate or handling a difficult roommate to keeping your Stuff from being stolen and getting enough sleep.  Links to helpful websites.

StudentAdvisor Blog

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Student generated info on moving into and out of school plus everything in between.  Guides to the best college flash mobs and the most common complaints about college.Plenty of info and good common sense.

WEBSITES

College.gov

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Going to college can be a little overwhelming at first.  The website, created by the U.S. Government, is designed to provide you with a variety of information to help make the decision easier.  It covers "Why Go," "What to Do," and "How to Pay."  The site also provides you with the links to Student Aid on the Web as well as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The College Board Official College Planning Tools

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Put together by The CollegeBoard, a not-for-profit membership organization committed to excellence and equity in education that is responsible for administering the SAT, this website provides an overview of several important issues in the college process, from the tests you might need to take for admittance to finding a college right for you all the way through applying to college and paying for it.

About College by the Princeton Review

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Princeton ReviewFoundation, a nonprofit corporation, was established in 1987 to address the admission test preparation needs of underserved students and is now one of the most well-known and well-regarded test prep service in the country.  They have compiled an exhaustive list of articles on a wide variety of topics to help you learn about college, apply for college, pay for college and do well at college.

Going to College

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Created by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in conjunction with the Virginia Commonwealth University, this website is designed to help students with disabilities prepare for college and provides information on accommodations in college and at SAT and ACT tests.

Student Loans and Paying for College

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Worried about paying for college?  Don't worry - you're not alone.  Part of the Wall Street Journal's Digital Network, SmartMoney magazine compiled all their articles on paying for college, including a How-to Guide on Saving for College.

The Big College To-Do List

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© 2008 Kelci Lynn, licensed to About.com
So you're going to college - what now?!  This website provides you with a to-do list designed to get you prepared and ready for that first day...and all the days afterward as well.  Going beyond just the basic checklist, you can also find additional articles on topics like "The Ultimate College Packing List" and "10 Ways to Meet New People."

Time and Stress Management Skills

College can be an adjustment and a stressful one at that.  These are two sites, created by Dartmouth University and the University of Georgia, provide you with tips on managing your time and your stress.  Don't worry if college is a challenge at first - you're not alone!  Always remember that you can go to your college's Student Services office or University Health Center for help.

Teen Ink's School & College Resources

A list of resources on Study Aids, College Information and Financial Information, put together by Teen Ink and The Young Author's Foundation Inc.  This list includes links to online communities where you can discuss your questions and concerns with other college bound young adults. 

VIDEO RESOURCES

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WatchKnow - College
WatchNow is a site dedicated to collecting as many educational videos as can be found from the web into one location, all suggested by teachers and educators. There are two videos on the main category, one of which deals with choosing a college that’s right for you. There are three sub categories with more videos that deal with Admissions, the SAT, and Scholarships & Financial Aid.

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MonkeySee - Careers and Education
MonkeySee is a video portal from Knowlera, a video production company that makes instructional lifestyle videos.This link is to MonkeySee’s Careers and Education subcategory, where you will find topics such as SAT scoring, college essay writing and searching for a college.